GERSHWIN / GROFE / RAVEL / BUSONI - Celibidache: The Complete Rias Recordings - Import 3 CD

Credits:

GERSHWIN / GROFE / RAVEL / BUSONI

Description:

Finally, the best possible sound quality from the original RIAS masters is now available on CD! audite's "Deutschland Radio Kultur Edition", which has gained a reputation for its outstanding high-quality reissues of "Celibidacke in Berlin", now includes another big name in its lineup. This 3-CD set of Celibidacke conducting the Berlin Philharmonic and others is a collection of all live and session recordings made by RIAS between 1948 and 1957. Celibidacke and the Berlin Philharmonic Sergiu Celibidacke (1912-1996) studied philosophy and mathematics at his home university in Romania before moving to Berlin in 1936, where he studied counterpoint at the Berlin University of Music with Hugo Distler, music theory with Kurt Thomas and Fritz Stein, and music theory with Walter Gmeindl. He studied conducting with Walter Gmeindl and composition with Heinz Thiesen. Celibidacke, who is said to have been a great admirer of Furtwängler, was invited to replace Furtwängler, who was banned from conducting after World War II, as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic in 1945, and conducted the orchestra for the next seven years. After Furtwängler returned as Chief Conductor for life in 1952, he continued to support the Berlin Philharmonic until 1954, and was instrumental in the orchestra's restoration and reconstruction.Celibidacke was also unique in that, with few exceptions, he was always opposed to recordings. In the live performances of his later years, which were finally released after his death, his expression was thoroughly polished through careful rehearsals and the use of extremely slow tempos, as exemplified by the Bruckner with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Here we can catch a glimpse of the consistent attitude of Celibidacke, a "perfectionist" who demanded rigorous rehearsals of the orchestra, and at the same time, notice that the performance is still performed at a relatively decent tempo setting. The RIAS archives left behind by Celibidacke, who disliked Gershwin, Hindemith, and Ravel recordings, are not only valuable as documents of his early career, but their contents are also very interesting, especially as they were recorded while he was active in Berlin. The recording also includes Gershwin, who was well known for his piano improvisations, and Ravel, who was famous for his skill with exquisite gradations. The overture to "Anacreon," which Celibidacke often included in the opening program of his concerts because of its high performance value, as well as works by Hindemith and his pupil Genzmer, who were forbidden to perform under the Nazi regime, are also featured. King International

Tracklisting:

1.Rhapsody in Blue
2.Rapsodie espagnole: 1. Prelude a la nuit. Tres modere
3.Rapsodie espagnole: 2. Malaguena. Assez vif
4.Rapsodie espagnole: 3. Habanera. Assiz lent et d'un rythme las
5.Rapsodie espagnole: 4. Feria. Assez anime
6.Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35a: 1. Allegro moderato
7.Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35a: 2. Quasi andante
8.Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35a: 3. Allegro impetuoso
9.Anacreon: Ouverture
10.Introduction and Fugue for String Orchestra: 1. Andante
11.Introduction and Fugue for String Orchestra: 2. Fuge. Allegro marcato